Office of the Historian

867N.002/3–2949: Telegram

The Consul at Jerusalem (Burdett) to the Secretary of State

Jerusalem, March 29, 1949.

253. Press announces decision by Cabinet move Ministries of Health, Education, Religion and Social Welfare and War Sufferers to Jerusalem together with departments of additional ministries. Committee appointed to recommend further transfers. Estimated 1,000 government officials involved in move. Ramallah radio interprets announcement as effort influence Conciliation Commission and show Jewish determination make Jerusalem capital Israel.1

Sent Department: pouched Amman, repeated Beirut 48.

Burdett
  1. The Jerusalem Committee of the Conciliation Commission considered the implications of the Israeli decision and concluded that “this constitutes fait accompli and part [of the] process establishing capital Jerusalem.” The United States Delegation similarly concluded that “this move further prejudices prospects internationalization and confirms opinion that Israel will not relinquish new city of [to] international authority.” (telegram 153, identified also as Palun 101, March 29, 10 p. m., from Beirut, 501.BB Palestine/3–2949)

    The Conciliation Commission decided, on March 30, to send a written communication to the Israeli Prime Minister calling attention to press reports and adding that “if confirmed, PCC would be obliged to call attention of Israeli Government to incompatibility of such measure with paragraph 8 of GA resolution December 11 … PCC requests assurance from Ben Gurion it is not intention Israeli Government to transfer ministries to Jerusalem.” (telegram 160, also identified as Palun 102, March 31, 3 p. m., from Beirut, 501.BB Palestine/3–3149)

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